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What is an online course at TCL? |
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The majority of the online courses at TCL are based on a platform called Blackboard on the World Wide Web. Course materials are uploaded onto the Blackboard platform and are then accessible to the students and instructors from any computer that is properly configured and has the appropriate software and access to the web. All of our online courses are hosted locally on TCL's own server.
Online courses have been developed for many of the subjects taught at TCL, although all of them will not necessarily be available every semester. Online courses generally require that the students buy a textbook in addition to the material that is presented to them "online". In addition, they are generally informed of and submit their assignments online. Many of the quizzes and tests of the course will be given online, however some of the instructors require their students to take written final exams on campus at the Testing Center. Most of the instructors make use of in-course email, discussions and bulletin boards to communicate back and forth with their students. In some cases, instructors will also require participation in Chat Rooms online. |
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What is required to take an online course? |
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Online courses are not for everyone. You must have a personal computer meeting certain requirements, operating system software, fully configured Web browser software and access to the Internet. You must also have a good deal of self-motivation and self-discipline to ensure that you accomplish the course work in accordance within the schedule prescribed by the instructor. Good reading and writing skills are important for you to effectively communicate with your instructor and other classmates and complete assignments. |
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Should I set up my computer prior to accessing my online course? |
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No. It is important however that you ensure that your computer has the latest update of the Java software. |
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How do I access my course? |
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You can access your course(s) by clicking on the Blackboard Icon on the TCL homepage at www.tcl.edu. You could also access them by selecting “Online Services " from the "Quick Jump Menu". On the “Online Services” page, select the link entitled "Access Online and Web-enhanced Courses" will take you to the "Blackboard Learn+" log in page where you will find a dialog box that will ask you for your Blackboard ID and password. Once you have entered the required information, click "Login". You will then be taken to your personalized “My TCL BB9 Home” page where all your TCL hosted courses should be listed on the screen. To enter your course, click on the course title and you will be taken to that course. You may also access your course(s) directly, via the web address http://tclbb.vmc3.com. |
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What is my Blackboard ID? |
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Your Blackboard ID is your first and last name typed in lowercase letters with no spaces. For example, John Smith's Blackboard ID would be johnsmith. If you have a hyphenated last name or two last names such as Ann Jones-Smith, your Blackboard ID would be annjones-smith. |
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What is my Blackboard password? |
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Your Blackboard password is the first initial of your last name typed as a lowercase letter and the last three numbers of your social security number. For example, the password for John Smith-Jones with a social security number of 123-45-6789 is s789.
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How do I begin doing my course work? |
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Log in to your “My TCL BB9 Home” page and then click on the hyperlink for the course on which you will be working. This will display the home page for that course. Some courses may require an Access Code, which should come bundled with your textbook, the first time you attempt to access the course. Enter the code when requested and be careful to duplicate exactly what is provided with special emphasis on case and alpha characters.
On the course "Homepage" you will note that there is a white information area that covers much of the screen. Normally, you will also see the Course Menu on the left side of the screen. If all you see is the white information area, click on the little arrow head on the left side of the information area. This will bring you back to the normal view with the Course Menu on the left. Conversely, if you want the information area to cover the entire screen, click on the arrow head and the Course Menu will be hidden. The information area on the Course's Home Page provides you with several different types of notifications. You will find an Announcements area where your instructor and Blackboard Administration can provide you with announcements of things that are going on in your course or within Blackboard in general. Additionally, you will find areas where your instructor can set up tasks to be completed as part of your course, an indication of new happenings in your course, things that need your attention, a course calendar, things that need to done and special alerts about things that are past due or early warnings about potential performance problems. In most cases if you click on the Announcement or Home page items, you will be provided amplifying information about the item in question.
The Course Menu provides you with links to the content and tools available in your course. We advise you to review your courses syllabus as one of the first things that you do. This will give you insight as to whom your instructor is, how to communicate with him or her, what he or she expects from you and other information about how the course will operate. If you have any problems with the operation of any of the features of the course, you should contact the Help Desk. |
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If I have trouble with my online course, whom
should I contact? |
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If you have any trouble accessing your course, entering a required access code, or any problems with the operation of the features of the course, contact the Online Course Help Desk by telephone at 843-525-8344, via email at helpdesk@tcl.edu, or visit us in Building 1, Room 210 during our office hours. You may also leave a voice mail message giving us your name, time, date of your call, the course you are having a problem with, the details of the problem, a telephone number where you can be reached during the Online Course Help Desk office hours, and the most convenient time for us to return your call during those office hours. The Online Course Help Desk office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. This schedule varies between semesters. These hours are also posted on the in the Announcements area of your "myBlackboard" page.
You should contact your instructor if you are having trouble with the content of your course, completing your assignments, completing your quizzes and tests, participating in Chat Rooms or Course Discussions, or simply falling behind in your class. You will find the office location, office hours, email address, and office telephone number in the syllabus of your course.
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How can I communicate with my instructor in my online course? |
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There are two methods of communicating with your instructor and fellow classmates available within your online course. They are “Messaging” and “Email” and will generally be found on the “Tools” page in your course. The instructor may choose not to have both tools available for your use. The Messaging function is totally within the course structure, while the Email function works just as your home email does. |
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How often do I need to access my online course? |
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TCL has an attendance policy that is as follows:
An e-mail is required from each student to the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period. At this time the instructor will drop the student from the course if the e-mail is not received. Except in extenuating circumstances with the approval of the appropriate Division Dean, instructors drop students from class when 90 percent attendance is not maintained. Attendance in an online course is defined by correspondence as required by the instructor. After the Add/Drop period, each student will be expected to communicate with the instructor via e-mail, online discussion forum, phone, or appointment at least once each week and access the web class at least once each week. After any three weeks of no communication or no access, the student will be dropped from the course. The instructor will assign a grade of’ “W,” “WP,” or “WF” based upon the student’s academic standing as of the last date of attendance, which is the date of the last log-in.
Your instructor will evaluate your participation in the course and may base a portion of your grade on it. It is safe to say that if you keep up with your course work, there should not be any attendance problems. |
